DEFENDER Jamie Richards has admitted his Football League debut for Argyle caught him by surprise.

Richards was a 33rd minute substitute in the 1-1 draw away to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday, after a thigh injury to Jason Banton, the on-loan Crystal Palace winger.

Argyle manager John Sheridan decided against a straight swap for Banton, despite having Paris Cowan-Hall, Andres Gurrieri and Luke Young on the bench and all capable of playing in that position.

Instead, 18-year-old Richards slotted into the defence at left-back, with Onismor Bhasera moving into the role vacated by Banton.

Richards told Herald Sport: "It was a great feeling to be thrown in when I was least expecting it.

"It was a winger that went down and I never thought it was going to be me that would go on, but it was brilliant it was.

"We had Paris, Andres and Youngy, who can all play in that position out wide."

Banton had put the Pilgrims into the lead in the 26th minute, only for Wimbledon to equalise almost immediately.

It remained 1-1 until full-time as Argyle stayed bottom of the table and the home side dropped into the relegation zone in 23rd.

Richards said: "Three points would have been nice, but it was still a point. It's vital at this time of the season.

"They had some very tall, quick players. It was hard for me to make that adaptation from reserve team football.

"You have got to switch on and concentrate so much more in first team football. The pace of the game is so much quicker."

Richards has been at Argyle since the age of nine, developing through the centre of excellence and apprentice ranks to the senior squad.

His only previous first team appearance, prior to Tuesday, was when he started at centre-back in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie against Aldershot Town at Home Park in October, which the Pilgrims won 2-1.

Since then, Richards has been restricted to occasional run-outs for the reserves, who have been starved of matches for much of this season, although that has improved since Sheridan was appointed as manager at the start of January.

Richards admitted there was a considerable difference between playing for the reserves and the senior side.

He said: "It's literally the pace of the game. There were a few times on Tuesday where I got caught out on the ball with my first touch.

"In the reserves I'm used to having a bit of time and picking out a pass, but it's a lot quicker in the first team.

"You get someone closing down so I have got to make sure I'm ready for that."

Richards had recently received a clue from Sheridan that a League debut could be on the cards for him.

"The gaffer picked me out the other day in training and said 'be ready because I might throw you in' and asked if I had ever played left-back," he revealed.

"That was a little indication for me. I have been working hard in training and, thankfully, it has paid off.

"Hopefully, the gaffer knows he can trust me now. I will always give 100 per cent if he does throw me in."

5 comments

Totally agree with Eddie - Rchards certainly never looked like an 18 year old making his debut. Showed bottle and heart and also looks like a fooballing defender rather than a hoofball merchant. Hope he is somebody to build the future around
As for "Greenmanure" ...what Horlick was being talked by Taylor ??? Guess the person reading it to you spoke too quickly for you - now jog on back to yourJeremy Kye auditon

Totally agree with Eddie - Rchards certainly never looked like an 18 year old making his debut. Showed bottle and heart and also looks like a fooballing defender rather than a hoofball merchant. Hope he is somebody to build the future around
As for "Greenmanure" ...what Horlick was being talked by Taylor ??? Guess the person reading it to you spoke too quickly for you - now jog on back to yourJeremy Kye auditon
Following on from your grammar lesson.... supporter has 2 x p's and Taylor has a capital T

Totally agree with Eddie - Rchards certainly never looked like an 18 year old making his debut. Showed bottle and heart and also looks like a fooballing defender rather than a hoofball merchant. Hope he is somebody to build the future around
As for "Greenmanure" ...what Horlick was being talked by Taylor ??? Guess the person reading it to you spoke too quickly for you - now jog on back to yourJeremy Kye auditon
Following on from your grammar lesson.... supporter has 2 x p's and Taylor has a capital T

The boy did well Tuesday night, several other Argyle fans around me commented on how well he had done for his first league game, at a young age and in a game of such importance; we definitely could not afford to loose that one.
Argyle must survive and also develop our youngest like Jamie so they can take our club forward too better things.